TeamBondinghttps://www.teambonding.com
Team Building through the Power of PlayFri, 31 Jul 2015 18:12:57 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Happy 4th of July!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/3IPzVGG8fBc/
https://www.teambonding.com/happy-4th-of-july/#commentsThu, 02 Jul 2015 19:56:54 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14980Are you ready for a long weekend full of fireworks, food and fun? We are too! If you didn’t know, July 4th holds more significance than just cookouts and fireworks. On July 4, 1776, America ...

]]>Are you ready for a long weekend full of fireworks, food and fun? We are too!

If you didn’t know, July 4th holds more significance than just cookouts and fireworks. On July 4, 1776, America gained its independence from Great Britain! Thank goodness for it because it gives us more reason to gather with loved ones and watch a beautiful show in the sky…not to mention, a long weekend!

They spent how much?

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) reports that last year’s revenue for display fireworks was $332 million; consumer fireworks revenue was even higher at a whopping $695 million. TIME also reported that the cost to put on a fireworks display for the public ranges from $5,000 to $30,000. Meanwhile, some consumers spend, on average, $100 and $300 on fireworks. (huffingtonpost.com)

Check out these top 5 places to see some of the best fireworks in the country.

1. Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Presents: Brave (New York)

2. Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing! (Nashville)

3. National Mall 4th of July Fireworks (Washington D.C.)

4. Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (Boston)

5. Philly 4th of July Jam (Philadelphia)

Did you know celebrating the 4th of July helps the economy?

A need to make food and beverage purchases means there is a need for workers who can sell these items. The revenue brought in is also noteworthy. July 4th is a time of the year where these products are in high demand. Ever think about how much good it can do for our economy?

In addition to all of these meat and beer purchases, there are patriotic apparel purchases to be made as well! While all of these stats are great, there is always bad that comes with good. Banks, post offices and the stock market will be the only industries that take a loss this holiday due to being closed for the day.

From everyone at TeamBonding, we wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/happy-4th-of-july/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/happy-4th-of-july/5 Ways To Make Great Communication A Top Priorityhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/tdibtwJfJcM/
https://www.teambonding.com/great-communication-skills-top-priority/#commentsThu, 25 Jun 2015 19:39:13 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14871There are many possible reasons why your office can’t seem to communicate efficiently and/or effectively. It’s important to realize the issue and correct it because an absence of communication will only hurt your business. Why are you ...

If you expect to accomplish anything in life, great communication skills are a top priority. Unfortunately, a lack of communication skills is quite common in the workplace.

There are many possible reasons why your office can’t seem to communicate efficiently and/or effectively. It’s important to realize the issue and correct it because an absence of communication will only hurt your business.

Why are you having communication troubles? Target where the problem lies and fix it.

The Issue: Lack of leadership

Poor leadership is a major cause of bad communication throughout an office. A leader is expected to have impeccable speaking and writing skills in order to properly manage the functions of a workplace. Lacking in this area of expertise can be detrimental to the communication levels, not to mention the overall health, of an organization.

Quick Fix: Always have an open mind about learning and improving. No one knows all the answers on how to be a great communicator. You become one by making mistakes and trying again. Study the way other leaders get messages across and how they take in messages. See what works and what doesn’t. You might need to tweak your strategy just a little to become even better. You aren’t expected to always be right, however, practicing techniques will drastically help your situation.

The Issue: Undertrained employees

If employees do not have a full understanding of the work they’re doing there’s bound to be problems. Make sure to take the right steps in bringing in new employees so that they will be on the same page as everyone else. You don’t want information going to the wrong places and you certainly want your message to be relayed accurately and in a timely manner. Keep in mind that undertrained employees can also, very quickly, lead to disengagement throughout an office.

Quick Fix: An important first step here would be to remain adamant during the new hire training process. You want your new employees to get off on the right foot. Be sure to express this to them as an added effort. Bringing someone new to the team requires patience and once you’ve attained the desired level of communication, things can only go up from there! Additional training down the road and retraining will also be essential. Training is an ongoing necessity. See it as an opportunity for your organization to be ever growing.

The Issue: An unclear vision

Employees not knowing/understanding what needs to be accomplished will be a major road block for you and your organization, right from the start and down the road. If you want success and think you know how to attain it, share this information with others! The whole idea of a team is to collaborate to reach a universal goal.

Quick Fix: Express your organization’s mission and goals to employees as clearly as possible, and frequently! A full understanding of these ideas will free you both of any gray area on the subject(s). This is a perfect time to state what’s expected and clear up questions.

The Issue: Disengagement

You couldn’t ask for a bigger problem than disengagement. This can be dangerous if not handled right away. It brings not only poor communication but also a lack of effort put forth toward tasks. Prevalent disengagement can devastate any level of efficiency your office might have. However, it is an issue that can be solved.

Quick Fix: Adopt useful employee engagement strategies. Being continuously proactive about it is key here. Team building exercises are a great help. Try: TeamBonding’s, Build-A-Boat program. A program such as this involves teams working together to accomplish a desired goal. This activity strengthens communication, boosts leadership and team spirit. When the activity concludes, get ready to take your new/improved skills back to the workplace. Plan these activities often to stay on top of your team building efforts.

Photo: Teams working together at a Build-A-Boat program event.

Keep improving…

Focus on having a positive attitude and mindset. This is an early step to becoming a better communicator. Being open minded can helRemember too, that communication is not only speaking but listening as well. This is often forgotten in many situations at work and life in general.

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/great-communication-skills-top-priority/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/great-communication-skills-top-priority/Lead By Example, Others Will Follow: 7 Leadership Activities To Try At Workhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/5pJO-_kfuTg/
https://www.teambonding.com/leadership-activities-to-try-at-work/#commentsWed, 17 Jun 2015 19:30:30 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14882“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”-Gandhi Leadership is the process by which one individual influences the behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts of others. A leader’s actions are set to an unspoken standard of ...

Throughout history many leaders have inspired us to change the world from Gandhi to Alexander the Great. These particular leaders didn’t leave a mark by just hanging out. They led by taking action, inspiring people to follow them.

Today, many leaders care more about their positions than the work that is right in front of them. Leadership isn’t about the title next to your name. It’s about the execution of what your company needs. Effective leadership takes strength and commitment to do the right thing.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”-Gandhi

Leadership is the process by which one individual influences the behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts of others. A leader’s actions are set to an unspoken standard of what is appropriate and what is not. The followers learn about acceptable behaviors through observation. One simple example is the dress code in your office. With wearing a certain style to work, followers will watch and imitate everything the leader does. To lead by example, follow these important steps:

Do the work that others expect you to do.

Be positive as often as possible.

Allow others to approach you anytime.

Remain consistent at all times.

Some people are put in positions of authority, but it is up to the leaders to gain respect and trust of their followers. Followers need to see their leader doing what is right for the team; that is supporting, developing, nurturing, and defending in the good times and the bad. When you establish yourself as a leader, remember that actions speak louder than words and motivate people to do their best work for the best of their ability. Keep complacency at bay!

There are many ways to improve your leadership skills throughout your career. Training programs like Emotional Intelligence will help you learn how to manage stress, identify the strengths and weaknesses with your team, and more. Keep building trust and respect, practice these leadership activities on a regular basis, and your team will follow.

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/leadership-activities-to-try-at-work/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/leadership-activities-to-try-at-work/Boston Summer Outings- Fenway Park Scavenger Hunthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/t8juYbXY3XU/
https://www.teambonding.com/boston-summer-fenway-park/#commentsThu, 04 Jun 2015 12:00:46 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14829The time of year that every school kid counts down 180 days to, is filled with memorable sights, sounds, and smells. Fresh cut grass and the sound of lawn mowers, the jingle of the local ...

Well Boston, we survived. After what seemed like a perpetuating winter, it officially feels warm enough to call it summer!

The time of year that every school kid counts down 180 days to, is filled with memorable sights, sounds, and smells. Fresh cut grass and the sound of lawn mowers, the jingle of the local ice cream truck, the endless amounts of sunshine, whats not to love? As anyone from Boston can tell you, summer brings about another energetic activity, Red Sox season. Yes folks, as we head into week 7 of the season, I think it’s safe to say we are in the thick of it. It would be sinful to even bother mentioning the Red Sox without honoring the iconic Fenway Park.

Ahhhh Fenway Park; the games, the beers, the franks, the history! As the oldest park in the MLB, it has quite the reputation of being the star of the show, it’s simply invigorating. With the amount of time Fenway has had to build it’s repertoire with fans, it has also had time to become very familiar, maybe too familiar. Now we are not suggesting Fenway could ever get old,but we can understand you wanting to see a new side of this welcoming landmark. Well, if you are up for a little adventure this summer and a new spin on an old classic, might we suggest a Fenway Park scavenger hunt?

Get To Know Fenway

Sure. You’ve gone to games and even possibly walked around the area, but do you really know all the cool little spots the Fenway area has to offer? Well, no worries because we do and we are here to help! Gather friends, family, and coworkers alike and put your competitive pants on because Teambonding offers Mobile Adventures as a fantastic way to get to, not only see a new side of the classic location but also help build relations with YOUR team.

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/boston-summer-fenway-park/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/boston-summer-fenway-park/Get More Engaged! 5 Fun Team Building Activities That Workhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/L5f-TnyEr8w/
https://www.teambonding.com/five-fun-team-building-activities/#commentsWed, 03 Jun 2015 15:31:23 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14810“I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.” –Thomas A. Edison Realistically, work tends to be a bore at times. It doesn’t have to be though! There are tons of ...

Believe it or not, you can have fun at work! Switch things up at the office and try some new, fun team building activities to get everyone energized.

“I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.”

–Thomas A. Edison

Realistically, work tends to be a bore at times. It doesn’t have to be though! There are tons of highly effective fun team building activities that you and your team can do to become more engaged, better acquainted with each other, and more productive all while having some fun. It’s important to team build often and even more important to get everyone participating. Good lines of communication, strong team work skills and getting to know your team are all what to expect with the right amount of effort. If you are trying to fuse fun and work look no further!

(1) Lunching with Coworkers

Lunch time is a glorious time for many people in the work place, and with good reason. Having time to eat and take a mental break is very important, even if it’s a short amount of time for some. Next lunch break, try something new with your employees. Start by taking one day out of the week to spend lunch getting to know your team even better. Try out a new spot each time and make up a game to play on your way there or once you arrive! Below are just a couple examples, check here for more! Newly opened lines of communication between everyone will be great to take back to the office.

Teamwork Game: “Two Truths and a Lie”

Each person submits two truths and one lie about themselves to the game or party organizer. Each person should let the game organizer know which statement is the lie. Compile all the information into a document in a multiple choice style quiz and create an answer key. At the party, pass out the game sheets and have everyone answer each question by designating which answer is a lie for each person. Have one or two people who don’t participate in the game score each submission and declare the winners! You’ll be surprised how much (or how little) you know about your co-workers.

Teamwork Game: “Name That Tune (or Movie)”

Create a list of movie one liners or lines from fairly well known songs. Write them on slips of paper and divide the group into teams. Each team takes turns drawing a slip of paper and the either reads or sings the line written. Each team has 30 seconds to guess until another team can steal. See who knows their movies or who is a budding singer.

(2) Office Makeover

Kickoff a mini makeover for the office. If your office is in need of a few changes, work as a team to spruce it up! While your team sets out for lunch, create a simple list of things that could use an overhaul. Working in a team will be beneficial for all. The organization doesn’t need to have a big budget. Minor changes like adding some new plants, art, or a few colorful pillows to the couch in the lounge can really make the difference. In addition to teams becoming stronger, the work environment will be better suited for all who helped out which will improve the mood around the office.

(3) Outdoor Team Building Activities

Summer months have arrived and that means going outdoors for fresh air and sun! Take your team outside for meetings when you can. Being outdoors will instantly lighten the mood and result in a much better time than that spent indoors. A DIY team building activity is the perfect way to spend your time outside.

If you want something more structured, try GoTek High-Tech Scaventures. This program is highly customizable and lots of fun! Teams use a tablet or smart phone to complete a themed scavenger hunt. What is even better about this program is that you can download an app and do it yourself (without a program facilitator). Whichever method you choose, you’ll have a fun and effective team building experience.

(3) Recognition Tools

Use recognition tools as a fun way to show that someone has done something meaningful at the office. Fill a box with various items and treats for team members who accomplish tasks or do something worth noting. This act will demonstrate a sense of positivity in the office and create a desirable work culture. Below are a few examples of different items to place in your box. Come up with your own items that have their own meanings behind them, too!

A Gumby figure for somebody who has shown flexibility.

A pair of cheap sunglasses for a bright idea.

A rubber ball for somebody who has bounced back from a challenge.

Fun size pieces of candy to sweeten someone’s day.

(4) Office Teams or Clubs

Is there a disconnect between people at work? Do you want to see them bond more? Create a team or club to further your team building efforts. A sports team or book club can be just what you need to see your team become stronger through shared interests and experiences.

Being a part of something outside of work will give team members something to relate to and provide new topics of conversation. A healthy team or club can make all the difference at work and will improve the work culture.

(5) Social Activities

All work and no play doesn’t just make for a dull office. While the priority for workers always should be on performing the jobs for which they are paid, there are even more low-cost social activities that can break up the office routine and foster an esprit de corps.

Reminder: “Fun at Work Day” is January 28th!

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/five-fun-team-building-activities/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/five-fun-team-building-activities/Meet the Team: Nicole Karanhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/_zP4LFTxHac/
https://www.teambonding.com/meet-the-team-nicole-karan/#commentsFri, 29 May 2015 16:45:30 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14799Describe yourself in three words: Honest, Friendly, and Happy. What is your favorite place in the world? That is a tough one. I have been to many places and experienced many things when growing up, ...

In this series of articles, we take five minutes to chat with a member of the TeamBonding team so you can get an idea of what sort of people we are.

In this installment we talked to Nicole, our new Social Media and Marketing Intern, about her favorite place in the world, the advice she would give to her younger self, and what she does in her spare time.

Describe yourself in three words:

Honest, Friendly, and Happy.

What is your favorite place in the world?

That is a tough one. I have been to many places and experienced many things when growing up, so I would have to say my favorite place in the world is London, England because of its different culture and people with cool British accents.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To never give up and always believe in yourself, because good things are going to happen.

Do you have any phobias?

I don’t like being in small places. I feel like the walls are caving into me, which is the common phobia of most people. I also have a phobia of roller coasters and thrill rides. Safe to say I am not an adrenaline junkie.

The most annoying thing in the world according to you is:

People chewing with their mouths open. It is gross and disgusting, it shows that people are rude and have no manners. The sound of chewing is like nails on a chalkboard.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like to listen to music, hang out with my friends at any chance I get, workout, and go shopping.

Do you have a favorite food?

Yes, my favorite thing to eat would have to be mushroom chicken ravioli.

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/meet-the-team-nicole-karan/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/meet-the-team-nicole-karan/How are you celebrating memorial day?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/q7NOmZ2el-0/
https://www.teambonding.com/how-are-you-celebrating-memorial-day/#commentsFri, 22 May 2015 15:51:29 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14770Memorial Day reminds us that summer is close but don’t forget what the true meaning behind the day is! Memorial Day can have different meanings for everyone. Often times, people use this day as a celebration for the ...

]]>Memorial Day reminds us that summer is close but don’t forget what the true meaning behind the day is!

Memorial Day can have different meanings for everyone. Often times, people use this day as a celebration for the arrival of summer. Cookouts, family reunions and a 3-day-weekend are all a blast but they can take away the importance of what the day truly signifies. While you celebrate good food and loved ones, don’t forget to pay your respects to those who have died fighting for our country. Pause, reflect and honor.

“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” — Bill Clinton

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, was declared by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his General Order No. 11 he states,

“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”

While Celebrating Memorial Day 2015…

Attend A Parade. Many towns have parades on Memorial Day and some events even conclude with a memorial service. So take some time out from prepping for BBQs or relaxing with friends and family and take advantage of what your town has to offer on this important day.

Buy A Poppy. During the days leading up to Memorial Day, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies. The poppy’s significance to Memorial Day is the result of the John McCrae poem “In Flanders Fields.” Disabled and needy veterans in VA hospitals have been assembling Buddy Poppies since 1924. Purchase one, and your donation assists in maintaining state and national rehabilitation and service programs for veterans.

Decorate with Flags. Break out the red, white and blue! For many, many years it has been a tradition to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flags on Memorial Day. So why not bring that tradition home and decorate your house and lawn with the stars and stripes! Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. So if you have a flag pole, consider joining the tradition this year.

Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance. In an effort to restore Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be, the National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute).The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.

Thank A Veteran. While Memorial Day is a time for remembering and honoring our fallen soldiers, it’s also a wonderful time to thank those soldiers past and present who are right here in our midst today! Thank them for all they have done to protect our country and our freedoms. Don’t know a veteran or want to do more? You can write a letter to a veteran or soldier! Check out: OperationGratitude.com for more information about writing letters or sending care packages to soldiers currently deployed.

In addition to these activities, we do of course suggest you attend a cookout or two. Just keep in mind that this day holds a lot more meaning than just a really delicious burger off the grill.

Team building? Check out our Operation Military Care program. You’ll develop team skills while assembling care packages for men and women who are serving our country. What better way to spend time with your team than giving back? It’s a rewarding program that everyone benefits from! However you decide to spend your Memorial Day weekend, don’t forget to take a moment and be grateful for the people who have fought hard, and are currently fighting, for our beautiful country.

We are proud to announce the official release of the Mobile Adventures by TeamBonding app. Here at Teambonding we want to provide the best service to all our clients, even those on a tight budget. The Mobile Adventures by TeamBonding app combines scavenger hunt ideas we’ve designed for you and some DIY aspects you’ll love to personalize the experience.

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/diy-scavenger-hunts-ideas/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/diy-scavenger-hunts-ideas/Need To Know Strategies For Employee Retentionhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/ACgWeaSCbGw/
https://www.teambonding.com/strategies-for-employee-retention/#commentsMon, 18 May 2015 14:00:18 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14724Since you don’t have full control over your employees, you cannot totally prevent them from leaving. It’s essential to the health of your organization for you to do what you can to reduce turnover. A low retention rate looks ...

Do you have some pretty amazing employees that you’d hate to see leave? Do you know how to get them to stay? Employee retention should be a top priority, but it can be challenging for a company. It’s crucial to know what steps to take toward success. The more you know about the importance of employee retention, the better!

Since you don’t have full control over your employees, you cannot totally prevent them from leaving. It’s essential to the health of your organization for you to do what you can to reduce turnover. A low retention rate looks bad and becomes costly if it’s something that frequently occurs. Having a strategy to help employees stay put is going to keep your retention rates high and productivity levels higher.

Strategies for employee retention

Hire who fits

During the hiring process, you have an opportunity to make a huge difference in retention rates. If you start off by hiring the right people, you’re bound to see those people stay for a longer period of time. Highly skilled, positive and friendly people are ideal candidates. Anything less can contribute to them leaving the company earlier than you’d like. Hire who fits your team the best.

Keep track

Retention rates should constantly be measured and tracked. If you aren’t keeping an eye on these rates how do you expect to see any kind of change? Focusing in on this data can prepare you for what steps should be taken next. You’ll be able to see who has been excelling and who might need some additional training. If you direct attention to what needs fixing, you’re a step closer to retaining your employees.

Give additional coaching

If you notice that managers are not giving their best performance at work, coach them! It’s often said that people quit a job because of a manager rather than the job itself. An easy fix to avoid this in the future is to start with a strong candidate and to then keep track of performance levels. Well trained managers are less likely to have negative feedback from employees. As long as you know where your managers stand, you’ll be able to step in and avoid further issues from arising.

Be accommodating

If you want your employees to stay, prove it to them. If you notice that retention rates are low, you may need to reconsider some things. Try re-evaluating what’s being offered to your employees. This includes enhancing benefits packages, fixing inflexible schedules and providing a path for growth within the company. Employees want opportunity and the potential for growth, within a company.

Communicate

Communication is key. You must be more than willing to have open lines of communication at all times so you have an idea about your employees thoughts on working for your company. Hold meetings and give feedback. Being in touch will give you the opportunity to talk to any employees who are having second thoughts about working for your company. You have a chance here to make some changes and prevent them from leaving.

It makes sense that an employee that stays with a company, grows within it and contributes to it accordingly. The longer you keep an employee the more knowledgeable about the company they’ll become and the more success your team will see.

]]>https://www.teambonding.com/strategies-for-employee-retention/feed/0https://www.teambonding.com/strategies-for-employee-retention/Meet the Team: Emily Hubbardhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/team-building/~3/z7O3Kyl-Qj4/
https://www.teambonding.com/meet-the-team-emily-hubbard/#commentsWed, 13 May 2015 14:32:17 +0000https://www.teambonding.com/?p=14721In this series of articles, we take five minutes to chat with a member of the TeamBonding team so you can get an idea of the sort of people we are. In this installment we ...

]]>In this series of articles, we take five minutes to chat with a member of the TeamBonding team so you can get an idea of the sort of people we are.

In this installment we talk to Emily, our new Client Relations & Marketing Coordinator, about her favorite place in the world, her fear of spiders and a few of her phobias.

How long have you been here?

Just over a month! And loving it!

What has been your most memorable TeamBonding experience?

My most memorable moment at TeamBonding so far has been seeing our Operation Military Care program! It was so great to see the excitement of the group and knowing the packages were going to help our military.

What is your favorite place in the world to be?

Calvin Coolidge State Park in Vermont! I love it there especially when I am with family and people I love.

What is your biggest fear?

Spiders! And being scared! I absolutely hate being scared!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Let it go. Not like Elsa but just let things go. Don’t take life so seriously no one gets out alive. Hopefully that just got “Let it go” stuck in your head!

The most annoying thing in the world according to you is:

Rude people! It doesn’t cost anything to be nice. I enjoy helping people who are nice and want to help themselves.

Do you have any phobias?

Not being able to breathe! I cannot have anything covering my mouth or I freak out! I hope that’s good haha. I hate talking about myself… maybe that should be my fear.